Pune: Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, has expanded exponentially in the past few decades. However, civic amenities have not kept pace with this rapid growth of the city. Many of these issues relate to the Centre.
Newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) Murlidhar Mohol is well acquainted with the issues as he was the Mayor of the city. Puneites expect him to follow up these issues and work to get various permissions and funds to develop the civic infrastructure as the city’s horizons are expanding.
*Airport: The issue is on the anvil. The current city airport is an Indian Air Force (IAF) base. Civil flights are operating from here as the IAF has given the permission. A new airport is the need of the hour as the number of flights are growing. The proposed airport in Purandar is embroiled in a controversy.
*Public transport: The Central Government has been granting huge funds to improve the public transport in the city. State-of-the-art buses are provided for the same. The new MP will look into this and improve the public transport system in Pune.
*Expand Metro railway network: Two Metro railway routes are operating in the city. The third route is being built. Yet the Metro network has to be expanded due to the rising population and growing area of the city. Such projects do not come up without the help of the Centre. A lot needs to be done in this regard.
*Merger of cantonment boards: The issue of merging the Pune and Khadki cantonment boards with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been pending for many years. Civil settlements in the cantonment areas face many issues as different rules apply to defence establishments. A policy decision needs to be taken quickly in this regard.
*Construction surrounding heritage sites: There are several heritage structures, including Shaniwarwada, in Pune. New construction is not allowed within the periphery of 100 m of such buildings as per the ASI rules. A solution to this problem has to be found out.
*Rehabilitation of old wadas: The issue of dilapidated old wadas has been pending for many years. The reason behind this is the rules and regulations regarding constructions. A policy has to be formulated by the State Government through the civic body.